In LEM (former Danfysik) precision current transducers, named ULTRASTABs, flux gate principle and state of the art wideband precision current measurement performance is archieved by Zero-flux detection technology.

In the ULTRASTAB current transducers the magnetic field generated by the current flowing in a primary conductor is measured by counter balancing this field by means of the electromagnetic field generated by a toroidal coil. The precise counterbalance (the “zero flux”) is detected by a very sensitive magnetic flux detector. This detector in turn drives the current source, feeding the necessary value of ampere-turns in the field compensating toroidal coil.

There are usually two additional sensing cores, total making three-core inductor system. A magnetic modulator drives two of the sensing cores in and out of saturation. If there is DC flux in cores, current peaks will be unequal. This current peak asymmetry is measured and combined with the AC component measured by the third core. A control loop generates a opposite compensation current that zero the total flux. This compensation current is a fractional of the primary current going thru sensor.

This unique feature behind the compensation principle allow current measurement at extremely high accuracy. The limit is only set by the obtainable sensitivity in the magnetic field detector. Here’s reach the core capability of the UTRASTAB current transducers. Today a refined and proven zero flux technology able to detect magnetic field with a resolution of about 0.0000003 of the absolute value! Or said in other terms we can measure a DC current to better than 3 parts in 10 million (0.3ppm).

If you not impressed by now, check some of features which these current sensors have:

Extremely high linearity in current measurement

Very high absolute precision

Very high reproducibility

Extremely low temperature coefficient

Very low intrinsic noise data

Unsurpassed dynamic range

Very wide bandwidth

High common mode rejection

Let’s take a look on this mighty device more closely, on example of LEMULTRASTAB IT 600-S , 600Amp variant.

Here’s overview photo of two LEM sensors (blue big things on left and right) with few other current measuring devices, listed from left to right:

Small power measured module with Allegro ACS750SCA-075 and ATMELAVR ATmega8 microcontroller

ULTRASTABs pretty big, well suited into account of it’s enormous current rating.

There is single DB-9 type male interface port to deliver power, connection burden resistor for secondary current output and status signaling.

Face with label is solid aluminum plate used for heatsinking as well, as you can see after removing two screws. Coil is embedded in casing with single mold.

As you can see this current sensor technology using some fair amount of electronics to do it’s magic. PCB still have marking from DANFYSIC.

LEM has acquired the transducer Danfysik Advanced Current Products (ACP) A/S with in 2008. DANFYSIC is based near Copenhagen, Denmark, and still in business for high-power application.

As accuracy and tempco would depend on secondary burden resistor, I chose not to compromise on this and got these custom 74$/piece CSNG Foil from Vishay Precision Group. Yes, you can buy them in single piece quantity. I heard these are same type resistors as used in LHC magnet control systems.